“You don’t even need to ask. I’m with you, Benny.” Her arms circled my neck, her soft body molded against mine. “If something like this happens again and you need time to work it out, just tell me, and I’ll give it to you. I’m no expert on life or anything, really, but I want this with you. I want us to love and take care of each other, always.”
My heart was a hurricane, blazing a warpath in my chest, trying to get to her. “Are you sure I can’t propose to you right now? ’Cause I already know there’s no way in hell I’ll ever stop loving you.”
Her face nuzzled against my shoulder. “Maybe wait a little while so no one thinks we’re lunatics. But you have to know I’m a sure thing.”
“I was hoping…”
Her soft breath was hot against my skin. “Hey, Ben…would you rather argue about who loves who more for the next fifty years or skip to the part where I win?”
I grinned against her hair, and my competitive nature surged to the forefront. “If you think you’d ever come out on top when I’mclearlythe winner, you’d better think again, baby.”
With an indignant squeak, she shoved out of my arms. “Those are fighting words, buddy. I very obviously love you the most. I was prepared to move toNew Zealandfor you. Tell me I win right now.”
I took a step toward her. “While that was very nice of you, I don’t think you understand how much I love you.” I prowled forward, and she retreated backward. “That’s okay, though. I have at least fifty years to get you to admit I’m the most in love.”
Her eyes widened as I stalked toward her, slow and deliberate, like I had every intention of proving my point right there on her living room rug. Which…yeah, I did.
“Ben…” she warned, laughing as she backed up another step, bumping into the arm of the couch.
I lifted a brow. “Are you surrendering already?”
“Never.” She darted left, slipping out of my reach by an inch.
“Oh, it’s like that?” I lunged, and she squealed, spinning away and racing toward the stairs.
“Mazzy,” I growled, half laughing, half ready to throw her over my shoulder. “Get back here so I can love you properly.”
“Not until you admit I win!” she called over her shoulder, that musical laugh bouncing off the walls.
I gave chase, my footsteps pounding lightly behind hers, my chest almost too full with everything she made me feel. At the top of the stairs, she skidded around the corner, nearly slipping, and I grinned as she did that thing where she looked back at me while still running, eyes bright, cheeks flushed, like she enjoyed being hunted by me.
She yelped when I caught her around the waist, lifting her clean off the ground as she kicked her legs in the air, laughing so hard she could barely breathe.
“Ben! Put me down!”
I carried her into our bedroom, my mouth against the side of her neck. “Admit I love you more.”
“Never!” she said again, breathless and gleeful.
I tossed her on the bed and followed her down, my body landing on top of hers. Her arms looped around my neck, and my forehead rolled over hers. Our wild grins matched, and our hearts thumped in time.
“I love you.” She brushed her smile over mine.
“Love you too, baby.”
Then I kissed her for all the days we’d been apart and all the days to come. She held me tight against her, welcoming me into her body and heart like I’d always belong to her. Even on the hard days. Even when smiles didn’t come easily.
If this was how the next fifty years were going to go, we’d both win.
But that didn’t mean I wouldn’t keep trying.
Epilogue
Ben
One Year Later
Romantuggedonthecorners of my bow tie. “There. It’s straight. Now, stop touching it.”
